“I know,” Andrew spoke into his cellular phone. His brows drew together in a frown as the commanding voice on the other end continued to bellow at him. “No…I haven’t found out anything…I haven’t yet because I haven’t had the chance to. I know what I’m doing. You don’t have to question me every time. I’ll contact you as soon as I know anything. Bye.” He hung up and turned off his phone. Andrew looked outside the window, his hotel having a perfect view of the Atlantic.

He was getting that feeling again. That sense of restlessness that seemed to gnaw at his insides. He didn’t understand why he was feeling it. He had a great job, a great family, and several friends all over the globe. What more could he want? Glancing at the clock, he realized that Meliza and Tina would be arriving soon. Maybe a hot shower would clear his head.

"You know, I don't think we should be doing this," Tina announced. "Of all the things to do...it's just not right, and it's downright unfair. At least to me."

Meliza frowned after knocking on Andrew's door. Today would be Tina's gambling lesson. "What are you talking about?"

"I'm going to feel like the third wheel..." Tina sighed, then giggled. "What if he just came out of the shower? Think he'll answer the door we-"

The door flew open to reveal Andrew, who was just shrugging into a white collared shirt. His hair was damp, and the air filled with the scent of Irish Spring. He smiled at them. "Come on in, ladies."

Meliza and Tina entered and he closed the door behind them.

"Make yourselves comfortable," he announced. "I'll be back in a few minutes."

As he turned to head into the bathroom, Tina tilted her head slightly, admiring his posterior. "Wow..."

Meliza slapped her arm.

"Ow!" Tina exclaimed. "What?!"

"Stop that."

"He had a nice butt! What's wrong with looking?!" Tina said.

"Say it any louder, why don't you?" Meliza shook her head.

While Tina grumbled about cruel and unusual punishment, they settled on the couch.

"He does look good in jeans, though..." Meliza whispered.

"Don't even pretend that you weren't ogling, because I know you were..." Tina hissed.

"Okay...first lesson of today begins." Andrew appeared, fully dressed in his collared shirt that he left untucked from his blue jeans.

As he sat across from them, he picked up the deck of cards from the coffee table. He shuffled and cut them a couple times.

"Oh, by the way...before this goes on, I have something to say," Meliza spoke up.

Andrew and Tina looked at her, all ears.

"Tina thinks you have a nice rear end."

Tina gasped in shock at her friend's boldness. Andrew laughed good-naturedly.

"Thanks!"

Tina pinched Meliza with the 'I can't believe you said that!' look. "She thinks you look good in jeans."

Andrew lifted his brows. "Maybe she should see me without them then decide which one she likes better."

Tina laughed while Meliza felt her cheeks flush slightly.

"Is that a proposition?" Meliza asked.

"No...it's a free offer," Andrew responded, causing Meliza to smile.

"O-kay!" Tina fanned herself. "It's getting hot in here...on to the game..."

"First game is blackjack," Meliza instructed.

Andrew dealt the cards.

"In general, if you're playing at a casino, try to remember that the casino exists to take your money. They stay in business because of that...so the chances of the dealer winning...are higher. So your first goal is to beat the dealer," Meliza instructed.

"I don't mean to interrupt your lesson, but...I thought I should let you know that there's a tournament in two weeks at The Atlantic. One hundred dollars for entry fee, each winner receives one thousand dollars," Andrew spoke up.

"One thousand...at a gambling tournament?!" Tina exclaimed.

He nodded. "Several different games will be played, and you can't participate in multiple games. You won't be betting real money, they give you chips and paper money...and whoever gets farthest, wins."

"Wow..." Tina mused. "This is my big chance..."

"How did you hear about this?" Meliza asked.

"In the casino. They were passing out fliers...you should be getting some at The Flagship soon," Andrew responded.

"Ooh...I want to go so badly..." Tina declared. "You guys HAVE to teach me how to play! I want to win!"

For the next few hours, Andrew and Meliza taught Tina all they could. They taught her when to risk, when to move on, how to read different people, and so forth.
 

"How do you think she'll do?" Meliza asked.

Several hours later, she and Andrew were walking on the beach. Tina had gone shopping at the mall while Meliza stayed behind.

"I think she's got one of the best teachers in the world," Andrew responded, grinning. "So she should do just fine. She'll have plenty of practice done by then."

"Thanks for the compliment," Meliza responded. She slid a sly glance at him. "So you never got around to telling me about your family. I told you about mine."

Andrew glanced out at the water, and unless she was mistaken, a trace of sadness swum in his eyes.

"I was ten when I lost my parents to a fire," he began quietly. "When
I was fourteen, I ran into my grandfather, who I hadn't seen in years..." He smiled wryly. "So he took me to Napa, California to raise me and discipline me."

"Well, you turned out very well," Meliza teased. "What about the four years you...?"

Andrew shrugged. "I lived on the streets for a while."

Her eyes widened. "You're kidding."

"Dead serious." Andrew shrugged again. "I did what I had to do."

"That's awful..."

"I got by..." he replied. "My grandfather is a smart aleck who thinks he knows everything. But if it wasn't for him...I don't know where I'd be..."

"Sounds like you care a lot about him," Meliza noted.

"Yeah..." Andrew glanced at her. "Hey, how did you know where to find me in the hotel?"

"You opened an emergency exit, setting off the security system at the front desk. Tina and I managed to sneak out of the casino before you set it off. We saw the control pad for it go off, then we decided to come get you," she explained.

He laughed. "I thought it would create a loud noise and attract attention from the outside...guess it didn't..."

Meliza smoothed her hair back. "Andrew...I was wondering if you'd like to go out again," she blurted. "I mean, I know it's kind of sudden, but I had fun the other night..."

"I thought you don't like going on multiple dates with the same man," he responded. He felt something inside of him. Excitement? Joy?

"I never said that," Meliza protested.

"Sorry...I guess I just assumed that you did..." Andrew smiled. "Where are we going to go?"

Meliza looked around, spreading her arms wide. "How about here?"

His brows lifted. "Here on the beach? Sure, I'm game. Are we going swimming?"

"No."

"Is this a casual date?"

Meliza nodded. "I'll bring the food. You bring the blanket, alcohol, and music."

"This is getting serious, Meliza," he declared. He had been enjoying the single life for way too long. However, in this case, it might be worth it. "I don't usually go on romantic dates until after two weeks..."

"Well, considering Tina and I are probably going to leave after the gambling tournament...which is in two weeks...are you willing to make an exception?" she asked boldly.

His eyes took on a serious side. "Two weeks, huh? Guess we'll just have to use all the time we have now..."

For some reason, the idea of her leaving in two weeks made her sad...